Blog Category: Farmer Profiles

Farmer Profile: Ruth Calduch growing Garlic on leased land, Prince George

Posted by Jolene Swain on July 26, 2021

We’re thrilled to be working with young farmer Ruth, born and raised in Barcelona, Catalunya who moved to Canada 13 years ago and has landed in Prince George, BC. She currently has a 1/4 acre garlic crop (and a newborn!) on leased land she found with support from the B.C. Land Matching Program. How did you decide you wanted to lease land and what was your dream property? I decided I wanted to lease out of necessity as I do not have access to the financial means to own a property big enough to grown my business – literally -. … Continue reading Farmer Profile: Ruth Calduch growing Garlic on leased land, Prince George →

Kitwanga, BC – Food Sovereignty Tour at Tea Creek Farm

Posted by Jolene Swain on July 20, 2021

We are excited to announce a by invitation Food Sovereignty Tour at Tea Creek Farm, in Kitwanga, B.C. August 7th. Jacob and Jessica Beaton are passionate about revitalizing food production and feeding their community. With a vision of resilient, healthy communities built on land-based programs and abundant local food, they established Tea Creek Farm in 2020. In a short amount of time, they have developed land-based training programs that “catalyze new agricultural projects and livelihoods—restoring the ability of Indigenous nations to grow fresh, healthy food and medicine for ourselves and our communities.” Tea Creek’s Indigenous-led program works in partnership with … Continue reading Kitwanga, BC – Food Sovereignty Tour at Tea Creek Farm →

AUG 9, 2021: SQUAMISH, BC – Land Social at Nutrient Dense Farm

Posted by Michalina Hunter on July 13, 2021 2 Comments

You’re invited to a socially-distanced outdoor Land Social at Nutrient Dense Farm in the Squamish Valley, B.C.! If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about – or just want to check out what your local farmers are up to – join us for the event. This event is hosted in partnership with the Squamish Food Policy Council. Be inspired and learn about the incredible farming that can be done on leased land! Nutrient Dense Farm is run by farmers Lindsay and Stefan in the heart of the Upper Squamish Valley. They grow a diversity of vegetables … Continue reading AUG 9, 2021: SQUAMISH, BC – Land Social at Nutrient Dense Farm →

Herbs & Heritage With Rachelle Pinto – Business Bootcamp Stories

Posted by Michelle Lam on July 04, 2021

Rachelle Pinto is the mom of 3, and a lover of herbs and heritage. She is based out of Winnipeg, with a small farm located just 20 minutes away, and is passionate about empowering her community by strengthening food security. Rachelle participated in the Young Agrarians Business Bootcamp, a five-week long online program that ran from February to March 2021. She chatted with our Young Agrarians Prairies team about her experience with the Bootcamp and how it intersects with her farm, Planted Allies. Find Planted Allies on Facebook and Instagram. Like many of us, Rachelle grew up in the public … Continue reading Herbs & Heritage With Rachelle Pinto – Business Bootcamp Stories →

JULY 11, 2021: Hazelton, BC – Land Social at WoodGrain Farmer Co-op

Posted by Jolene Swain on June 24, 2021

You’re invited to a socially-distanced outdoor Land Social at WoodGrain Farmer Cooperative in the Kispiox Valley! If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about, join us for the event. Be inspired and learn about the incredible farming that can be done on leased land! WoodGrain Farmer Cooperative is an organic, full-circle, small-scale vegetable operation in Northwest BC within unceded traditional Gitxsan territory. Growing a diverse selection of veggies for two local markets and a 40+ member CSA, the four WoodGrain farmers have been able to divide and conquer farm tasks to keep a steady supply of … Continue reading JULY 11, 2021: Hazelton, BC – Land Social at WoodGrain Farmer Co-op →

JULY 18, 2021: VERNON, BC – Land Social at Silverstar Veggies

Posted by Michalina Hunter on June 23, 2021 4 Comments

You’re invited to a socially-distanced outdoor Land Social at Silverstar Veggies in Vernon, B.C.! If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about, join us for the event. Be inspired and learn about the incredible farming that can be done on leased land! Silverstar Veggies is a brand new market garden on the boundary of city and countryside. Farmer Eric and his partner Miho converted an acre of grass into gardens in just a few weeks! They farm over 40 different types of vegetables, but specialize in greens and tomatoes. We’ll tour the farm, network, and look … Continue reading JULY 18, 2021: VERNON, BC – Land Social at Silverstar Veggies →

JULY 10, 2021: SALMON ARM, BC – Land Social at Elderberry Grove

Posted by Michalina Hunter on June 23, 2021

You’re invited to a socially-distanced outdoor Land Social at Elderberry Grove in Secwepemcul’ecw, Salmon Arm, B.C.! If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about, join us for the event. Be inspired and learn about the incredible farming that can be done on leased land! Elderberry Grove is an elderberry syrup farm. In 2017, farmers Louise and Jed couldn’t find any locally grown elderberries, so they planted Elderberry Grove. Since then their little farm has grown to multiple leased sites, and they love making farm-to-bottle elderberry syrups and elderberry cuttings so you can grow your own. We’ll … Continue reading JULY 10, 2021: SALMON ARM, BC – Land Social at Elderberry Grove →

Florals with Ashley Currie – Business Bootcamp Stories

Posted by Michelle Lam on June 10, 2021

Bountiful Bay Farm & Nursery is an up and coming farm located in Sooke, BC. Once a week, farm owners Ashley Currie and her partner, Aidan, watched a pre-recorded video with their morning coffee while taking detailed notes from farm experts. These videos were part of the Young Agrarians (YA) Business Bootcamp, a five-week long online course that helps new farmers build their business plans. Ashley spoke with the YA team to talk about her personal experience with the Bootcamp. Ashley’s love for growing things began in university when she started growing plants from seed in her windowsill. She was … Continue reading Florals with Ashley Currie – Business Bootcamp Stories →

How to Select Vegetable Varieties for Greenhouse Growing

Posted by Michalina Hunter on June 04, 2021

Got a new greenhouse or poly tunnel and wondering what varieties to plant? Experiencing issues with low yields or disease in your greenhouse? Check out this interview with Gemma McNeill, Owner-Operator of Zaklan Farm, a suburban microfarm in Surrey, British Columbia. Once you’ve gleaned some wisdom from Gemma, you may want to learn more. We recommend you follow up by reading an outline on how to select vegetable varieties for greenhouse growing, plus recommendations for the best greenhouse tomato, pepper, cucumber, eggplant, and lettuce varieties to try, from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Photo above is of Gemma by Zaklan Farm. Greenhouse … Continue reading How to Select Vegetable Varieties for Greenhouse Growing →

Porcupines, Plants, and People with David Benjestorf – Business Bootcamp Stories

Posted by Michelle Lam on May 17, 2021

When the pandemic hit, David Benjestorf knew he needed to do something to combat the rising food security crisis amongst Edmontonians. As the Vice Chair of the Edmonton Food Bank, he’s familiar with creating solutions for feeding those in need, but hadn’t ever experienced anything quite like the uncertainties of Covid-19. “How would food trucks get across the border? Will there still be volunteers in the warehouse? Will we have to give up fresh food for processed food for a long period of time?”. These are all questions that David worried about. The solution? To grow this much-needed food himself! … Continue reading Porcupines, Plants, and People with David Benjestorf – Business Bootcamp Stories →